RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned the recent attacks on camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) near El Fasher in western Sudan, resulting in deaths and injuries.
The ministry, in a statement on Sunday, said the attacks on Zamzam and Abu Shouk camps constitute a clear violation of international law and international humanitarian law.
It reaffirmed the Kingdom’s firm rejection of such violations and stressed the urgent need to protect relief and humanitarian personnel.
It underscored the importance of an immediate cessation of hostilities, the avoidance of targeting civilians, and the full implementation of the Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan, signed on May 11, 2023.
The ministry conveyed its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and extended its wishes for a swift recovery to those injured.
According to the United Nations (UN), dozens of civilians, including at least 23 children, and several aid workers have reportedly been killed in North Darfur over the past three days.
“Horrific violence has seen 16 children reportedly killed in Al Fasher, a further six children and nine aid workers killed in an attack on Zamzam camp for internally displaced people, and one child killed in Abu Shouk camp.
Over the past three months, more than 140 children have been killed or maimed in Al Fasher alone, underscoring the relentless toll of the ongoing war on children in Sudan,” UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said in a statement.
Last month, the Sudanese army retook complete control of Khartoum city from Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fighters after two years of losing the capital to the rebel paramilitary group.
According to the International Rescue Committee, the war has killed tens of thousands, displaced more than 12 million, and created the “biggest humanitarian crisis ever recorded.
